Science

Onchocerca volvulus

Onchocerca volvulus is a filarial nematode parasite of humans, causing Onchocerciasis, or River Blindness, which affects over 37 million people, mainly in Africa. It is a severely debilitating disease, which is transmitted to humans by black fly.

Data Downloads

This is a Wellcome Trust funded project to sequence and analyse the nuclear genome of O. volvulus with the goal of producing reference quality genome sequence. Sequence data are being produced using 454 rapid sequencing technology and Illumina sequencing.

Onchocerca volvulus is a gonochoristic filarial nematode parasite of humans causing Onchocerciasis. Onchocerciasis, or River Blindness, is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) which affects over 37 million people, mainly in Africa. It is a severely debilitating disease, which is transmitted to humans by the bite of Simulium blackflies that live and breed near fast-flowing streams and rivers.

We are collaborating with Dr Sara Lustigman, New York Blood Center.

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Data Use Statement

This sequencing centre plans on publishing the completed and annotated sequences in a
peer-reviewed journal as soon as possible. Permission of the principal investigator should be
obtained before publishing analyses of the sequence/open reading frames/genes on a chromosome or
genome scale. See our data sharing policy.